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C.3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems

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Description

Nature of science:
Assessing risks and benefits associated with scientific research—the use of biological control has associated risk and requires verification by tightly controlled experiments before it is approved. (4.8)
Understandings:
  • Introduced alien species can escape into local ecosystems and become invasive.
  • Competitive exclusion and the absence of predators can lead to reduction in the numbers of endemic species when alien species become invasive.
  • Pollutants become concentrated in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels by biomagnification.
  • Macroplastic and microplastic debris has accumulated in marine environments.
Applications and skills:
  • Application: Study of the introduction of cane toads in Australia and one other local example of the introduction of an alien species.
  • Application: Discussion of the trade-off between control of the malarial parasite and DDT pollution.
  • Application: Case study of the impact of marine plastic debris on Laysan albatrosses and one other named species.
  • Skill: Analysis of data illustrating the causes and consequences of biomagnification.
  • Skill: Evaluation of eradication programmes and biological control as measures to reduce the impact of alien species.
 International-mindedness:
  • Over 100 countries across the globe have agreed to ban the production of CFCs to reduce the depletion of the ozone layer.
Aims:
  • Aim 8: Many developed countries export toxic waste to less developed countries. Is financial compensation a fair exchange for hazardous waste?

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